Pneumatic-despatch apparatus.



0. F. STODDARD.

PNEUMATIC DESPATUH APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30, 1910.

. 1 Patented Feb. 24, 191i 7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

witnesses I 5. d W fizarlesbll'tod ar cqLuMBu PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINGTON. IJv c.

G. F. STODDARD.

PNEUMATIC DESIATGH APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30, 1910. Patented Feb 24,

7 SHEETS-SHEET Charlea I! Stoddard ana -aw M flm W at s COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO,WASHINCITON, DrC.

G. F. STODDARD. PNEUMATIG DESPATGH APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED nov. 30, 1910.

1,088,109. Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3 wibveaes I Invezvtor:

att s COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH 450-. WASHINGTON. D. c.

C. F; STODDARD. PNEUMATIC DESPATGH APPARATUS.

APPLIQATION FILED NOV. 30, 1910. 1,088,109.

Patented Fb.- 24, 1914.

7' SHEETS-SHEET 4.

r rm-V4 W A A A WI/"62065868 Q Q PQ Inventor: maq/igw Gharlesl! Sta ddard 0. IE. .STODDARD.

PNEUMATIC DESPATGH APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30, 1910.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

witwvesses.

Divert/tor. i Charles-I'- Stoddard 91- b {0; 5 f

COLUMIIA I'LANOORAPH C0.,WA:M|NOTON. D. c.

G. P. STODDARD.

PNEUMATIC DESPATGH APPARATUS.-

APPLICATION FILED NOV.'30, 1910.

1,088,109. Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

'I SHEETS-SHEET 6.

- Inventor witnesses Uharls I! Stoddard G. F. STODDARD.

PNEUMATIC DESPATGH APPARATUS,

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30, 1910. 1 0 1 ()9 Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7,

Fig.11.

Inverc/tor Q gCieglrle-s' E z toddard E3 %7, M

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAI" C0,, 'ASHINGTON, D. C

witnesses. @M

inn sirarnis rarnnr errrcn CHARLES F. STODLDARD, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T AMERICAN PNEUMATIC SERVICE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF DELAVJARE.

PNEUMATIC-DESPATCH APPARATUS.

Application filed November 30, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that 1, CHARLES F. S'roo- DARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Pneumatic-Despatch Apparatus, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention is an improvement in pneumatic despatch apparatus and among other objects provides means for automatically redespatching carriers from one station to another.

The character of the invention may be best understood by reference to the follow ing description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view showing instrumentalitics and piping connections of a redespatching apparatus embodying one form of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan of the apparatus not showing the piping connections; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2; Fig. 3* on an enlarged scale is a detail section taken on line 3'"3 of Fig. 3; Fig. 4: on an enlarged scale is a vertical section taken on line 4-4t of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 on an enlarged scale is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 on an enlarged scale is a vertical section taken on line 66 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 3, and through parts above the level of said line; Fig. 8 is an end elevation of parts shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 8 on an enlarged scale illustrates a detail shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 12; Fig. 10 on an enlarged scale is a section taken on line 10l0, Fig. 2; Fig. 11 on an enlarged scale illustrates an automatic counter device shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of Fig. 11 showing parts in section; 12 is a detail to be referred to; and Fig. 13 is a section taken on line 1313 of Fig. 12.

in accordance with the particular embodiment of my invention selected for illustration herein and shown in the drawings, one or more carriers may be automatically despatched from the receiving terminal of a station to the transmitting terminal thereof.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2%, rare.

Serial No. 594,858.

A carrier on arriving at the receiving terminal rolls down a table on to a tilting end thereof. The weight of the carrier thereon causes said end to tilt and thereby set in operatlon devices cooperating therewith which slide an arm, pushing the carrier along the length of the table to and into a scoop-like receptacle in horizontal position substantially at a level with an end of the table. As soon as the push arm reaches the limit of its movement said arm is returned to its original position in readiness to transfer another carrier to the scoop and the scoop is caused to rock from its horizontal or carrier receiving position to a position in alinenient with the carrier transmitting terminal. The carrier entering this terminal is then transmitted to the next station.

The number of carriers automatically despatched may be controlled by a counting device which is previously set to determine the number of carriers to be despatched and includes an element advanced an increment each time a carrier is despatched at the transmitting terminal. After the desired predetermined number of carriers has been despatched this counting device automatically prevents other carriers from being despatched until again set to initiate carrier despatch operations. After a carrier is despatched the scoop may be automatically returned to its horizontal carrier receiving position in alinement with the table in readiness to receive another carrier.

To prevent other carriers on the table from rolling on to the tilting end of the latter prior to the transfer of the carrier on said end to the scoop and the return of the push arm to its original position in readiness to transfer another carrier, a safety bar is automatically elevated back of a carrier on its arrival on the tilting end of the table.

"With the foregoing preliminary explanation in mind, I will now describe in detail the devices for carrying out the operations referred to.

Referring first to Fig. 2, T is the usual I the arrest of the carriers a buffer 7 (Fig. 2)

may be provided opposite the receiving terminal and the carriers may be prevented from rolling off the rear edge of the table by a suitable curved plate 9 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and extending from the receiving terminal to the buffer 7. The table 1 is inclined, (Fig. t) so that a carrier such as G discharged from the receiving terminal after striking the buffer 7 will roll down the table 1 toward the lower end thereof.

The arrival of the carrier on the lower end of the table may be utilized to set in operation devices for sliding or transferring the carriers from the table to the scoop. For

' this purpose the lower end of the table is separated from the body of the table and is fulcrumed on a shaft 11 (Fig. 4:) carried by the table supporting frames 3, and will tilt or rock downwardly on the arrival of a carrier thereon. To prevent such carrier from rolling olf said table the tilting portion may be curved upwardly as at 13. This tilting end may be held normally in its up position by a weight 15 which may beadjusted along an arm 17 secured to said tilting end. To limit the upward movement of the tilting portion of the table there may be provided adjacent the ends thereof arms 19 secured to said tilting end and having adjustable stops 21 threaded into their ends and adapted to engage flanges 23 projecting inwardly from the table frame 3. To slide the carrier along the length of this tilting end of the table to transfer the same to and into the scoop there maybe provided a push arm 25 projecting from a cross-head 26 through an elongated side slot 27 in a guide casing 29 secured in forks 31 at the ends of the table frames 3, and supported between its ends by posts 32 (Fig. 3). To slide the arm 25 to push the carrier off of the table the cross-head 26 may be connected to a sprocket chain 33 contained within the guide casing 29 and extending from a sprocket wheel 35 (Fig. 3) at one end of the table to and around a sprocket wheel 37 at the opposite end of the table, said sprocket wheels being mounted respectively on shafts 39 and 41 journaled in bearings carried by the guide casing 29. To drive the sprocket wheel 35 and cause the push arm cross-head 26 to travel along the table, the shaft 39 is elongated and j ournaled in a bearing in a bracket 10 secured to a depending portion 4L0 (Fig. 1) of one of the table side frames 3. On said shaft is a second and smaller sprocket wheel 13 (Figs. 2' and 3) connected by a sprocket chain 15 with a larger sprocket wheel 47 fast on a shaft 49 journaled in bearings on a standard 51. This shaft may be rotated by a pinion 53 meshing with a rack 55 (Fig. 5) on the end of a piston rod 57 connected to a piston 59 in a cylinder (31 conveniently located beneat-h the table 1 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

To control the movements of the piston 59 in the cylinder (31 there is provided a valve casing 63 (Fig. 5) secured to the cylinder 61 and having passages 65, (35 in communication with opposite ends of the cylinder. The casing contains a central admission chamber 67 for receiving compressed air or other actuating fluid through a pipe A (Fig. 1) connected to a suitable source of air pressure supply not shown. This central air admission chamber is connected by reduced bores in the casing to exhaust chambers 71 connect-ed by a passage to an exhaust pipe 75 (Fig. 1) at the rear of the casing,

the entrances 73 of said connecting passage only being shown herein. The admission of the air to and the exhaust from the cylinder 61 may be controlled by a valve 77 in said casing comprising disks 79 formed to fit in the reduced bores between the admission and exhaust chambers, said disks being mounted on a stem 81 adapted to slide in apertures in heads 83 secured to said casing.

The disks 7 9 are so positioned on the stem 81 that when the valve is in the position shown in Fig. 5 there will be pressure admitted from the entrance chamber (57 and passage to the right side of the piston 52) and the opposite side of said piston will be open to the left exhaust chamber 71 through the passage 65. \Vhen the valve is shifted, from the position shown, to the left of Fig. 5 the right side of said piston will be placed under exhaust and the left side of said piston will be placed under pressure. I will now describe pneumatic devices for controlling these movements of the main valve. At the opposite ends of the valve casing are shallow cylinders 85 connected by frames 86 to the heads 83 referred to. Each of these shallow cylinders contains a piston 87 having a stem 89 projecting inwardly toward the valve stem 81 and abutting the same. Pressure may be maintained on the outer sides of the pistons 87 through pipes 6 connecting the main air pressure supply pipe A with the heads of said shallow cylinders. If air is released from one side of a piston 87, as more fully hereinafter described, the pressure in the pipe I) on the opposite side of such piston will cause it to move in its cylinder and through its stem 89 ab utting against the valve stem 81 will shift the valve and thereby introduce pressure on one or another of the sides of the piston 59 and cause the latter to travel to V the right or left of Fig. 5.

CAD

To contribute to the maintenance of the valve 77 in one or another of its positions the central enlarged portion of the valve 77 may be peripherally grooved to receive the end of a spring pressed plunger 90, the pressure on said plunger being sufficient to permit the grooves to wipe past the end of said plunger when the valve is pneumatically shifted by one or another of the pistons 87. When the valve operating piston 87 at one side of the valve 7 7 shifts the latter, the piston S? at the opposite side of the valve is moved thereby. In order that such piston may not stick at one end of its cylinder and prevent the shifting of the valve, each of said pistons 87 is provided with a small port 87 which should not be large enough to pre vent the shifting of the piston when the air is suddenly released on one side of said pisten, but. after the piston has shifted the air will be free to seep therethrough to the pposite side of said piston and eventually equalize the pressure on its sides.

When pressure is admitted on the left side of the piston 59 said piston will move to the right (Fig. 5) and the rack connected to the piston rod will rotate the pinion 53 and cause the sprocket 47, chain 45 and sprocket wheel 13 to rotate the shaft 35 and cause the push arm sprocket chain to travel and move the push arm 25 from the right end of the table (Fig. 2) to the left end thereof.

After the push arm has reached the left end of said table the valve 77 is shifted to admit pressure to the right side of the piston 59 and the carrier push arm 25 through the gear connections described will return said arm to its original position at the right of Fig. 2 in readiness to transfer another carrier.

1 will now describe pneumatic connections for exhausting the air behind one or another of th valve operating pistons 87 to shift said valve and effect the movements of the push arm actuating piston described. It will be recalled that the tilting of the table is utilized to initiate the travel of the push arm. Beneath the tilting end of the table is a spill valve casing 91 (Figs. 3 and 41) supported in any suitable manner, herein by a cylinder, to be referred to, carried by one of the columns Within this spill valve casing is a valve normally held on its seat by a spring The valve is provided with a pin 9'? extending up adjacent the tilting end of the table. The spill valve casing is connected by a pipe 0 (Fig. 1), a pipe 0, a pipe 0 and intermediate connections to be referred to with the right valve operating cylinder 85 Vi hon the tilting end of the table drops as on the arrival of a carrier thereon the table engages the pin 97 and presses the valve 93 from its seat. As a result the air will be spilled or released behind the right in the pipe 6 on the opposite side of said piston will cause the same to move to the left (Fig. 5) and shift the valve 77 from the position there shown into a position to admit air through the admission chamber 67 and the passage to the left of the push arm actuating piston 59. As a result said piston will travel to the right and cause the push arm to travel in its guide casing 29 to the left of Fig. 8 and transfer a carrier from the tilting end of the table into the scoop referred to.

To automatically return the push arm to its original position there may be provided a spill valve diagrammatically shown at.- 99

in Fig. 1 and substantially similar to the spill valve previously descrlbed. The spill valve 99 is connected to the left valve operating cylinder by pipes d, d (Figs. 1 and lVhen the push arm piston actuated rack 55 reaches the limit of its right movement the end of said rack abuts against the stem of the spill valve 99, opens the latter and through the pipes (Z, (Z releases the pressure on the right side of the left piston 87. As a result the pressure in the pipe 6 on the opposite side of said piston shifts the valve 77 to the right of Fig. in the position there shown thereby placing the right side of the push arm piston 59 under pressure and the left side of said piston under exhaust. The piston 59 will now travel to the left of Fig. 5 to the position there shown and return the push arm to its original position in readiness to transfer another carrier from the table to the scoop.

Having more particular reference to Figs. I

1.. 2, 3 and 4c, 1 will now describe the safety bar for preventing carriers from rolling down the table 1 into engagement with a carrier on the tilting end of said table. The safety bar herein is shown at 101 (Fig. 4) supported adjacent its opposite ends on piston rods 103 (Figs. 1 and 3) secured to pistons 105 in cylinders 10'? secured to the table frames Depending from the cylinders 105 and secured thereto are chambers 109 containingsprings 111 pressing against the under faces of the pistons 105 and tending to seep said safety bar in its up position back of the carrier on the tilting end of the table. Pressure may be admitted to the upper ends of the cylinders 10? through pipes 0 (Fig. 1) connected by a pipe 0 to the push arm actuating cylinder 61 at a point at the right of the piston when the latter is in its left position. The under sides of the safety bar actuating pistons are connected by pipes to a pipe j leading to the push arm opcrating cylinder 61 at a point at the left of the piston 59 when in its left position. As a result on the introduction of pressure on the left side of the piston 59 to start the push arm to travel and transfer a carrier from the table to the scoop, pressure will be admitted through the pipes f, f to the under sides of the safety bar actuating pistons 105 and there will be exhaust through the pipes c, e on the upper sides of said pistons. As a result said pistons will rise and elevate the safety bar back of the carrier on the tilting end of the table and prevent the interference of other carriers therewith.

When the push arm operating piston 59 has passed the point of entrance of the pipe 6 in the cylinder 61, both the upper and lower sides of the safety bar operating pistons will be placed under pressure, but the safety bar will be maintained in its up position by the springs 111. \Vhen the piston 59 commences to travel to the left to return the push arm to its original position there will be exhaust on the left side of said piston thereby placing exhaust on the upper and lower sides of the safety bar actuating pistons, but the position of the safety bar will remain unchanged. When in the course of the travel of the piston 59 to the left said piston, passes the point of entrance of the pipe 6 into the cylinder 61, the pipe 6 will be placed under pressure and as a. result pressure will be introduced on the upper sides of the safety bar actuating pistons and the latter will be depressed and will draw the safety bar down to the position shown 'in'Fig. 1 and permit another carrier to roll down on to the tilting end of the table.

Having described the carrier push arm and the safety bar and their controls, I will next describe the devices for moving the scoop-like receptacle from a horizontal or carrier receiving position, as shown in dotted lines (Fig. 1) and in full lines (Fig. 2) to an oblique position in alinement with the entrance of the transmitting terminal T, as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 3.

'The receptacle herein illustrated at 115 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) preferably is of general cylindrical form when closed conforming to the contour of a carrier. Herein this receptacle is divided into a scoop-like body portion 117 and a cover 119 hinged thereto. The scoop body is connected by ribs 121 (Fig. 2) and a boss 123 to a shaft 125 (Figs. 3 and 6) journaledin bearings in a casing 127 on a'vertical cylinder 129 to be referred to. To rock the scoop from its horizontal carrier receiving position to its oblique carrier delivering position there may be provided a pinion 131 (Fig. 6) fast on the shaft 125 and meshing with a vertical rack 133 contained and guided within the casing 127 and secur d to a piston rod 135 connected at its lower end to a piston 137 in said cylinder 129. 'When pressure is admitted on the upper side of the piston 137 said piston will be depressed to its position shown in Fig. 6 and will rock the carrier from its horizontal to its oblique position. lVhen pressure is placed beneath the piston and exhaust above said. piston the scoop will be rocked back from its oblique position to its horizontal position. To control the admission of air above and beneath said piston the cylinder 129 may be provided with a valve casing 138 (Figs. 3 and 7) and a valve mechanism and control substantially similar to that described for the push arm actuating cylinder 61. This valve mechanism and control includes a shallow cylinder 139 at one end of the casing 138 and a similar shallow cylinder 140 at the opposite end of said casing. Pressure may be supplied to the main valve of the vertical cylinder through a pipe 13 (Fig. 1) connected with any suitable source of pressure supply. Pressure may be supplied to the shallow cylinders 139 and 110 of the valve operating pistons by pipes 9 connecting the pipe B with the heads of said cylinders.

Preferably the scoop should be rocked from its horizontal carrier receiving position to its carrier delivery position as soon as a carrier has been delivered from the table thereto. This occurs herein when the push arm has moved to the left limit of its travel (Fig. 1). hen the push arm is in this position the push arm actuating rack 55 is at the limit of its right movement and has engaged the spill valve 99 for causing the return of the push arm to its original position. The engagement of said rack with this spill valve also may be utilized to control the valve of the scoop operating cylinder to cause said scoop to rock from its horizontal to its oblique position. For this purpose. the shallow valve operating cylinder 139 of the scoop cylinder valve is connected by a pipe h (Fig. 1) with the pipe (Z leading to the spill valve 99. As a result when the air is released at said valve for reversing the push arm, air also will be released behind the piston in the valve operating cylinder 139 of the scoop cylinder. The pressure in the pipe 9 will shift the piston in the cylinder 139 and place the upper side of the piston 137 under pressure and the lower side thereof under exhaust. As a result the piston 137 will move downwardly and with it the rack 133, causing the pinion 131 to rotate and rock the scoop from its horizontal to its oblique position in registration with the receiving chamber of the transmitting terminal T. When the scoop reaches this position, the carrier slides from the scoop into said entrance chamber, automatically opening the gate thereto.

I will now describe means automatically operated after the carrier is entirely within said entrance chamber for returning the scoop to its horizontal carrier receiving position. To this end said chamber may be connected by pipes 2 c" and '5 and intermediate instrumentalities to be referred to, with a spill valve device at the cylinder 140, comprising a casing 141 (Fig. 7) mounted on said cylinder, said casing having a port comn'iunicating with said cylinder. Within this casing is a spill valve 143 normally pressed onto its seat by a spring 145. The valve 143 has a stem 147 adapted to be engaged by a rocking f nger 149 loosely pivoted at one end on a stud 151 on a plate 153 secured to the valve casing 141, said finger in turn being engaged by a stem 155 of a piston 157 in a small cylinder 159 also secured to the plate 153. The pipe 11 referred to, connected to pipes z" and 2', leading from the entrance chamber of the transmitting terminal, is connected to the head of said small cylinder 159.

In order that the valve 143 may be opened only momentarily, for a purpose hereinafter described, a cam plate 161 (Figs. 7, 8 and S) is provided, secured to the plate 153 and having an inclined edge 162 engaged by the free end of the finger 149; 'Said finger is provided with a spring 163 (Fig. 8) encircling the stud 151 and secured at one end to said stud and at its opposite end to said finger. The finger 149 being loosely pivoted to said stud is free to rock laterally somewhat thereon. As a result, when said fin ger is rocked by the piston 157, said finger will be moved laterally from its position shown in full lines in Fig. 8 to its position shown in dotted lines in said figure, and in the course of said movement, said cam will have forced said finger off from the end of the valve stem 147. The latter, thus re leased, will be pressed by its spring 145 upwardly and return the valve 143 to its seat and prevent further escape of air from the cylinder 140 beneath said valve. Thus it will be seen that each time that the piston 157 is moved from its position shown in Fig. 7 to the opposite end of its cylinder, through. the finger 149 and cam 162, the valve 143 will be opened momentarily only.

The operation of the above-described instrnmentalities is as follows: Pressure is maintained in the receiving chamber of the transmitting terminal excepting when said chamber is opened as on the entrance of a carrier therein. As a result the spill valve operating piston 157 is normally maintained at the opposite end of its cylinder from its position shown in Fig. 7. Then a carrier enters said chamber, the release of the pressure therein releases the pressure on the piston 157 and permits the finger operating spring 151 to rock the finger 149 and through the stem 155 push the piston 157 to the position shown in Fig. 7. In moving the piston to this position said finger 149 will slide along the cam edge 162 to the end of the valve stem 147 and 011 reaching the end of the latter will assume .a position between said stem and the piston stem 155 in readiness to be effective as an intermediate connection from the piston 157 to the valve 143 for opening the latter when the piston 157 is moved from its position shown in Fig. 7 to the opposite end of its cylinder. After a carrier has completely entered the terminal receiving chamber the gate of the latter will close and the chamber will be placed under pressure in order to transmit the carrier. The creation of this pressure in said chamber, through the pipes i, z" and 2' creates pressure on the valve operating piston 157 and moves the latter from its position shown in Fig. 7 to the opposite end of its cylinder and through the piston stem 155, rocking finger 149, and valve stem 147 opens the valve 143. The opening of this valve spills the air from the shallow cylinder 140 back of the piston contained therein and renders the pressure in the pipe 7? effective to shift said piston and with it the main valve of the scoop operating cylinder. The shifting of this main valve places the under side of the piston 137 under pressure and the upper side thereof under exhaust, causing the piston to rise and, through the rack 133 and pinion 131, rock the scoop back to its hori- Zontal carrier receiving position.

In opening the spill valve 143, the rocking finger 149 will remain between the piston stem 155 and the valve stem 147 during the first part of the movement of the piston 157, but toward the end of said movement, the inclined edge 162 of the cam 161 will force the rocking finger 149 off of the end of the valve stem 147 and permit the valve 143 to be pressed by its spring 145 back to its seat. Thus the air is released in the shallo-w cylinder 140 back of the piston contained therein momentarily or merely sufficiently long to permit the pressure in the pipe to shift said piston and with it the main valve of the scoop operating cylinder. It is important that the spill valve 143 should be held open but momentarily, since if it were held open all the time that pressure is maintained in the receiving chamber in the transmitting terminal, the shifting of the main valve of the scoop cylinder by the piston in the shallow casing 139, to move the scoop from its horizontal to its oblique discharging position, would be interfered with.

In some instances when the scoop is rocked into its oblique position in alinement with the transmitting terminal it is desirable that its cover should be open in order that car riers can be manually placed in said scoop and guided by the latter to the transmitting terminal. To'this end the scoop cover 119 referred to (Figs. 2 and 3) may be automatically opened while the scoop is rocking from its horizontal to its oblique position. lVhen the scoop is closed and in its horizontal receiving position. (Fig. 2) the cover is on the under side of the scoop. A. carrier entering the latter will, therefore, rest on the cover. when the scoop is rocked from its horizontal to its oblique position it is inverted and the carrier which rested on the cover in the scoop receiving position rests on the body of the scoop .when in its oblique position. To auton'iatically open the cover while the scoop is moving from its horizontal to its oblique position a curved slotted guide or cam 165 may be provided curved to conform with the circular path of an end of. the scoop as it moves from horizontal to oblique position, said guide being secured to the machine frame in any suitable manner. The slot in the'cam165 receives a roller 167 (Figs. 3 and 3 on a pin 169 projecting from a boss 170 on an end of the scoop cover 119. The curvature of the cam slot is such that after the scoop has rocked from its horizontal to its oblique position the cover is gradually opened into the position shown in Fig. 3. The cover being open will readily permit manual introduction of carriers into the scoop and they may be guided thereby intothe transmitting terminal.

Having described the construction and 7 operation of the scoop I will now describe an arrangement whereby a carrier may only be delivered from the table into the scoop when in its horizontal receiving position in alinement with the table. It will be recalled that to start the push arm to transfer a carrier from the table to the scoop, pressure was released from the right shallow cylinder 85 of the'push arm operating cylinder 61 by the opening of the spill valve 93 on the tilting of the table end. The air was spilled through this Valve and pipes 0, c and 0 leading to the said shallow cylinder 85. To prevent the shifting of the valve 77 to start the movement of the piston 59 to cause the travel of the push arm at times other than when the scoop is in horizontal position in readiness to receive a carrier from the table a valve may be interposed between the pipes 0, c and be controlled by the scoop operating mechanism. Herein the pipe 0 is connected to one end of a passage 1171 (Figs. 1 and 6) in a casting 178 forming the upper head of the vertical scoop operating cylinder 129. The pipe 0 is connected to the opposite end of said passage. The piston rod 185 for actuating the scoop crosses the passage 171 and prevents a flow of air therethrough, excepting when in' its up position bringing the scoop into horizontal receiving position. When in this position a transverse port 175 in the piston rod 135 is brought mto registration in the passage 171 and thereby permlts an uninterrupted fiow of air therethrough. lVhen the piston rod 135 is in this position and the spill valve is opened by the tilt of the table, air will be free to escape through pipe 0 back of the piston 87 in the right shallow cylinder 85 for operating the main valve of the push arm cylinder and will escape from pipe 0 through the passage 171, piston rod 'port 175, pipe 0 through the spill valve 1f the scoop piston 137 is in its down position as shown in Fig. 6, bringing the scoop into its oblique discharge position, the transverse port 175 in the piston rod will be out of registration with the passage 171 and the rod will prevent the release of the air from behind the piston 87, and

the air will not be free to escape past the spill valve 93 and as a result the main valve 77 of the push arm operating cylinder ()1 will not be shifted and the push arm 25 will not be caused to travel to transfer a carrier from the table to the scoop excepting when the scoop is in a horizontal receiving position.

In accordance with the arrangement of devices thus far described, it will be apparent that each time a carrier arrives on the tilting end of the table it will be automatically transferred from the table into the scoop, the scoop will be rocked from its horizontal receiving position to its oblique position and automatically return to its horizontal position in readiness to receive another carrier. As a result carriers successively arriving on the table from the receiving terminal T would be transferred automatically to the scoop and into the transmitting terminal T.

One of the important features of my invention comprises means for automatically despatching any desired predetermined number of carriers from the receiving ter minal to the transmitting terminal. To this end a valve containing block 177 (Figs. 1, 9, 11 and 12) may be bolted or otherwise secured to a plate 178 secured to one of the table side frames 3. In this block is a port 181 (Fig. 9) communicating with the pipe (.1 (Fig. 1) and a port 183 communicating with the pipe 0. Also in this block is a port 185 connecting with the pipe z and a port 187 connecting with the pipe 2''. The block 177 has a longitudinal bore containing a valve 189 having a reduced squared end forming a stem 191 and a shoulder 193. The valve 189 is normally pressedv with its shoulder in engagement with a cap 195 secured to said block by a spring 197 having one end engaging an end of said valve and its opposite end engaging a cap 199 secured to said block. To effect communication from the port 181 to the port 183 the valve 189 is provided with a reduced portion forming an annular groove 201 of a width corresponding to that of the ports 181 and 183 so that when the valve 189 is in registration with said ports, as shown in Fig. 9, air may be released behind the piston 87 for shifting the valve 77 of the push arm operating cylinder 61 through the pipes 0 scoop cylinder head passage 171, pipe 0, port 181, port 183 and pipe 0 through the spill valve 93 thereby completing the piping circuit for reciprocating the push arm operating piston and causing the push arm to travel and transfer a carrier from the table to the scoop and return to its original position.

To effect communication between the ports 185 and 187 when the valve 189 is in position to effect communication between the ports 181 and 183 said valve may be provided with irregular passage 203 connecting the port 185 with the port 187 through an offset port 205. When the ports 185 and 187 are connected by the registration of the passage 203 therewith air may be released back 01 the piston in the cylinder 1&0 for shifting the valve of the scoop cylincler 129 and admitting pressure beneath the piston 137 to bring the scoop to its hori zontal carrier receiving position, the air being released for this purpose from the spill valve operating cylinder through the pipe 2' port 185, port 187 and pipe i-to the entrance chamber of the transmitting terminal.

As long as the valve 189 is in the position shown in Fig. 9 effecting communication between ports 181 and 183 and effecting communication between ports 185 and 187 each time a carrier arrives on the tilting end of the table it will be automatically transferred from the table to the scoop and thence to the transmitting terminal T If, however, he valve 189 is thrust against the resistance of its spring suiliciently to close communication between the ports 181 and the opening of the table actuated spill valve will be ineffective to release the air through the pipes c, c, passage 171 and pipe 0 back of the piston in the right valve operating cylinder for the main valve of the push arm actuating cylinder, and as a result the push arm will not move. When the alve 189 is in a position to prevent communication between the ports 181 and 183 said valve also is in a position to prevent communication between the ports 185 and 187. li hen in this oosition the opening of the entrance chamber of the transmitting terminal to atmosphere on the entrance or" a carrier therein will be inel'lectual to release the air through the pipes i, 2" and i to the spill valve operating cylinder for releasing the air back of the piston in the shallow cylinder 140 for shifting the valve of the scoop operating cylinder and causing the scoop to be rocked to horizontal receiving position.

I will now describe a counting devicecooperating with the valve 189 for automatically closing said valveto prevent further carrier transmitting operations after a predetermined number of carriers have been transmitted. Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 11, 12, 12 and 13, this device comprises a ratchet bar 207 secured to an edge of a T-plate 209 (Fig. 13) mounted in a guide 211 secured to the plate 178 referred to. This ratchet bar is arranged in alinement with the valve stem 191 and is adapted to engage said stem and press the latter against the resistance of the valve spring 197 and close the valve after a predetermined number of carriers have been discharged into the transmitting terminal, as more fully hereinafter described. To draw the ratchet bar 207 'toward the valve stem 191 there may be provided a coiled ribbon spring 213 having one end secured to a pin 215 projecting from the plate 178 and mounted between spaced disks 217. The opposite end'ot' said spring is carried along beneath the ratchet bar carrying T-plate 209 to the end of said plate farthest from the valve stem 191 and is secured thereto by a screw 219 (Fig. 12). This spring 213 will tend to slide the ratchet bar 207 toward and into engagement with the valve stem 191 to move the valve 189 into a position to prevent communication between the ports 181 and 183 and prevent communication between the ports 185 and 187. To facilitate the setting of the ratchet bar carrying plate 209 a handle 221 may be secured thereto. hen said ratchet bar plate is slid in its guide by this handle away from the piston stem 191 the tension of the spring 213 will be increased. To hold the ratchet bar out of engagement with the valve stem 191 and feed the latter toward said stem an increment each time a carrier is delivered to the transmitting terminal there may be provided a dog 223 (Figs. 12 and 12) having an ollset end 223 for engagement with the teeth on one side of the ratchet bar and a dog 225 having an 'otlset end 225 for engagement with the teeth on the opposite side of said ratchet bar. These dogs overlie said bar and may extend in opposite directions and have ends pivoted 011 pins 223', 225 projecting from a U-plate 227 secured to the face of the plate 178. These dogs are drawn into engagement with the teeth on the opposite sides of the ratchet bar by a helical spring 229 having one end secured to a pin 223 on the dog 223 and its opposite end secured to a pin 225 on the dog 225.

The opening of the entrance chamber of the transmitting terminal to atmosphere each time a ca 'rier is discharged from the scoop into said transmitting terminal is utilized herein to operate said dogs and permit the spring 213 to draw the ratchet bar a distance of one tooth toward the valve stem 191. For this purpose a branch pipe in (Fig. 1)

is connected at one end to the pipe 11 (Fig. 1) leading from the entrance chamber of the transmitting terminal, and the opposite end of said branch pipe m is connected to a cylinder 231 (Fig. 12) secured to the ratchet bar carrying plate 178. This cylinder contains a piston 233 having a stem 235 projectinglthrough the head of said cylinder and through a' guide slot in the U-plate 227 to and above the dogs 223 and 225. The outer end of this valve stem is adapted to abut against the dog pin 225 and said stem has a slot 237 for controlling the dog pin 223 The piston 233 is normally held in its position shown in Fig. 12 against the resistance of a spring 239 by the pressure led from the entrance chamber of the transmitting terminal through the pipes i and m. Each time that the pressure is released in the entrance chamber of said terminal as on the discharge of a carrier therein the pressure will be released back of the piston 233 and the spring 239 will force said piston to the right of Fig. 12 and draw with it its stem This movement of the stem will cause the end of the slot 237 to engage the dog pin 223 and rock the dog 223 out of engagement with a tooth of the ratchet bar. This movement of the stem will permit the dog 225, normally held out of engagement with the ratchet bar by the contact of the end of said stem with the dog pin 225, to be drawn by the spring 227 into engagement with the ratchet bar and engage the next tooth. When the ratchet bar is held by the rightdog (Fig. 12 the offset end 225 of the left dog 225 is midway between two teeth, so that when the dog 223 is rocked out of engagement with a tooth on one side of the bar, the ratchet bar will be drawn toward the valve stem 191 by the spring 213 a distance equal to one-half a tooth before its movement will be arrested by the offset end 225 of the dog 225 on the left of said bar. When the entrance chamber of the transmitting terminal is again placed under pressure as to transmit the carrier therein the piston 233 will be pressed against the resistance of its spring and back to the position shown in Fig. 12. This movement will cause the end of the stem 235 to engage the dog pin 225 and rock the dog 225 out of engagement with its tooth and permit the dog 223 to rock into engagement with a tooth on the opposite side of the ratchet bar the latter in themeantime being moved again by its spring 213 a distance corresponding to half a tooth.

Thus it will be seen that each time a carrier is discharged into the transmitting terminal and transmitted the ratchet bar is permitted to advance the distance of one tooth toward the valve stem 191. As succeeding carriers are transmitted the distance between the end of the ratchet bar and the valve stem will be reduced step-by-step until eventually the ratchet bar will engage the valve stem 191 and close the valve 189 and prevent further transmitting operations, as described.

The number of carriers t'ansmitted before the transmitting operations are arrested will be determined by the distance that the ratchet bar is drawn or set from the valve stem 191. In order that the ratchet bar may be readily set the proper distance from the valve stem there may be provided an index plate as 241 (Fig. 11) which may have divisions indelibly marked thereon corresponding to the number of teeth on one side of the ratchet bar said index also having indelibly marked thereon numerals corresponding to the number of divisions. Cooperating with this index is a pointer 2&3 secured to the ratchet bar carrying T-plate and movable therewith. As shown herein the ratchet bar carrying plate has been slid in its guide against the resistance of the spring 213 away from the valve stem 191 a distance corresponding to twelve teeth on the ratchet bar. Therefore each time a carrier is discharged into the transmitting terminal. the ratchet bar pointer 2&3 will move the dis tance of a tooth toward the valve stem 191 until twelve carriers have been despatched whereupon the ratchet bar 207 will engage the valve stem 191 and cause the valve 139.

to interrupt communication between the ports 181 and 1823, thereby preventing the push arm from transferring another carrier from the table. This movement of the valve will also interrupt communication between the ports 185 and 187 and prevent the scoop from returning to a horizontal carrier receiving position.

By the above described apparatus any desired number of carriers may be automatically despatched from the receiving terminal to the transmitting terminal merely by setting the indicator 243 to a number on the index plate corresponding to the number of carriers desired to despatch. No further attention on the part of the ope *ator is necessary.

The automatic redespatching of any desired predetermined number of carriers is very advantageous for a variety of reasons. If, for example, there are three stations on a line, an operator at an end station can telephone to the operator at the intermediate station the number of carriers that are to be redespatched to the other end station and it will be merely necessary for the operator at the intermediate station to set the indicator in a position corresponding to the telephoned number and the machine will automatically despatch this number from one end station to the other.

In some instances it may be desired to elfect the various operations described manually independently of the automatic control. To release the air pressure manually behind the piston 87 in the right cylinder 85 for shifting the valve 77 of the push arm operating cylinder 61 to start the push arm 25 to transfer a carrier from the table to the scoop, there may be provided a pipe 00 connected at one end to the pipe 0 and at its opposite end to a valve casing 245 (Fig. 10) herein conveniently secured to the push arm guide casing 29 (Figs. 1 and 2), said valve casing having a bore containing a spring pressed spill valve 247 adapted to be opened by a push button 24: To release the pressure manually behind the piston 1n the cylinder 14:0 for shifting the valve of the scoop operating cylinder to introduce air beneath the piston therein and rock the scoop to horizontal position, there may be provided a pipe y (Fig. 1) connected to one end of the cylinder 14:0 and at its opposite end to the casing 2&5 to communicate with a second bore therein containing a spring pressed spill valve 251 adapted to be opened by a push button 253.

To release pressure in the cylinder 139 for shifting the valve of the scoop operating cylinder and introduce pressure above the piston therein for rocking the scoop into 1ts oblique carrier discharge position a pipe 2 may be connected at one end to the pipe cl and at its opposite end to the casing 245 to communicate with a third bore therein containing a spring pressed spill valve 255 adapted to be opened by a push button 257.

The above described apparatus is positive in action, simple in construction, substantially fool-proof and readily adaptable to present pneumatic despatch systems.

While I have described the various instrumentalities employed herein for illustrative purposes to transmit one or more carriers automatically from the receiving ter minal to the transmitting terminal as controlled by air pressure it will be understood that other fluids or transmission means than air may be used for this purpose, if desired.

structurally the apparatus shown in the drawings may be variously changed or modified to suit different purposes. Any practical number of elements or instrumentalities either singly or in cooperation may be used in any desired relation one to another; it is not necessary that all of the features of the invention be employed conjointly since some of them may be used separately to advantage.

Claims:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former, comprising a stationary portion and a tilting portion, means to transfer carriers from said tilting portion to said transmitting terminal,

and means operable on the tilt of said tilting portion for setting in operation said carrier transfer means.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a tilting table for receiving a carrier from the former; means for maintaining said tablein tip-tilted position when empty; means for transferring a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal; and means 00- operating With said table on the tilt of the latter for setting in operation said transferring means.

An apparatus of the class described compr1sing,in combination, a receiving term1nal ;'a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving a carrier from the former; a safety bar; and means operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for elevating said bar back of the carrier on said table to prevent interference of other carriers therewith.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; an inclined table having a tilting portion for receiving a carrier from the receiving terminal; a safety bar and means operable on the arrival of a carrier on the tilting portion of said table for automatically elevating said safety bar between the stationary and tilting portions of said table for preventing a carrier from rolling from the former on to the latter to interfere with the carrier thereon.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving a carrier from the former; a safety bar; a piston connected thereto; and means for automatically operating said piston to elevate said bar back of the carrier on said table on its arrival thereon.

6'. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving a carrier from the former; a safety bar; a piston connected thereto, and pneumatic connections for automatically operating said piston to elevate said bar back of the carrier on said table on its arrival thereon.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving a carrier from the former; a safety bar; a spring pressed piston tending to elevate the latter back of the carrier on said table; pneumatic means for creating pressure above and beneath said piston; and means operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for releasing the pressure above said piston and placing pressure beneath the latter to elevate said safety bar back of said carrier.

8. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving a carrier from the former; a safety bar; a piston connected thereto; a cylinder for the latter; and means operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for shifting pressure from one side of said piston to the opposite side thereof toelevatesaid bar back of the carrier on said table.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving a carrier from the former; a safety bar; its piston and cylinder; means to transfer a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal, including a cylinder and piston ;'and pneumatic connections from said 'transfer'cylinder to said safety bar cylinder for rendering the piston in the safety bar cylinder effective to elevate the safety bar when. pressure is applied on the piston in the transfer cylinder to set in operation said transfer means.

I 10. An apparatus of the class described comprising, 1n comblnatlon, a receivlng termmal; a transmltting terminal; means for receiving a carrier from the former; means 1 for transferring the carrier from said receiving means to said transmitting terminal; and means to prevent interference with a carrier on said receiving means While said transfer means is delivering a carrier from said receiving means to said transmitting terminal and returning into position in readiness for another transferring operation.

11. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; means to transfer a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal operable onthe arrival of the carrier on said table; and means for preventing interference by other carriers With said carrier While the latter is transferred from the table to said transmitting terminal.

12. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; means operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for transferring the carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal; a safety bar; pistons'and cylinders connected to said bar; and pneumatic connections from said transfer means to said cylinders for elevating the safety bar back of the carrier on said table on its arrival thereon.

.13. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a tilting table for receiving carriers from the former;

' means operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for transferring the carrier from the latter to the transmitting terminal; cylinders; pistons therein connected to said safety bar; means tending to maintain said bar in its up position back of the carrier on said table; and pneumatic connections from said transfer means to said cylinders for placing pressure beneath said pistons on the commencement of the operation of the transfer means, placin pressure on both sides of said pistons in t ie course of said operation, placing exhaust on both sides of said pistons in the course of said operation and then placing pressure above said pistons and exhaust beneath the same on the return of said transfer means into position in readiness for another transferring opera- .tion.

14. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmittin terminal, a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for transferring the carrier from the latter to said transmitting terminal comprising a push arm, a cylinder; a piston therein, and connections from said piston to said push arm for feeding the latter along said table to slide a carrier thereon.

15. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means automatically to transfer a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal on the arrival of a carrier on said table comprising a guide extending along said table adjacent thereto, a carrier push arm adapted to slide in said guide, a cylinder, :1 piston therein and gearing connections from said piston to said push arm for sliding the latter in said guide and removing the carrier from said table.

16. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for transferring the carrier from said table toward said transmitting terminal comprising a guide extending along said table; a carrier push arm adapted to slide in said guide, a sprocket chain connected to said push arm for feeding the latter in its guide, a cylinder, a piston contained therein and gearing connections from said piston to said sprocket chain for moving said push arm substantially the length of said table and return.

17. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means to transfer a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal comprising a piston and cylinder, a valve casing on the latter, a main valve therein, valve operating cylinders cooperating with the latter, pistons in said valve operating cylinders having stems for operating said main valve, air pressure pipes connected to the operating cylinders of said main valve, a spill valve adjacent said table and pipe means leading from said spill valve to one of said main valve operating cylinders for automatically releasing the pressure on one side of the piston therein on the operation of said spill valve by said table and permitting the pressure on the opposite side of suchpiston to slide the latter and shift the main valve and initiate the movement of the piston in the main cylinder to effect the transfer of the carrier.

18. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means for transferring a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal comprising a push arm, a cylinder, a piston in the latter, connections from said piston to said push arm, a main valve for said cylinder, and pneumatic means operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for shifting the main valve of said cylinder to control the movements of the piston therein.

19. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means for transferring a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal comprising a carrier push arm adapted to slide adj acent said table, a cylinder, a piston therein, connections from said piston to said push arm, a main valve on said cylinder, valve op erating cylinders, pistons therein, means to create pressure on sides of said pistons, and means to release the pressure on the opposite side of one or another of said pistons to shift the main valve and control the travel of the carrier push arm.

20. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means for transferring a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal comprising a carrier push arm adapted to slide adjacent said table, a cylinder, a piston therein, connections from said piston to said push arm, a main valve on said cylinder, a valve operating cylinder, a piston therein, means to create pressure on one side of the latter, and means to release pressure on the opposite side of said piston to cause the latter to shift said main valve and control. the travel of the carrier push arm.

21. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means for transferring a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal comprising a carrier push arm adapted to slide adjacent said table, a cylinder, a piston therein, connections from said piston to said push arm, a main valve for said cylinder, cylinders adjacent said valve, pistons in said cylinders for operating said valve, means operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for releasing air on one side of one of said main valve operating pistons and rendering pressure on the opposite side thereof effective to shift said main valve and admit pressure to one side of the piston in the push arm operating cylinder, and means automatically operable on the completion of the transfer of the carrier from the table to the transmitting terminal for releasing air on one side of the other main valve operating piston and rendering pressure on the op posite side thereof effective to shift said valve and reverse the push arm operating piston to return said push arm in position in readiness for another transfer operation.

22. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means for transferring a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal comprising a carrier push arm adapted to slide adja cent said table, a cylinder, a piston therein, and connections from said piston to said push arm, a main valve for said cylinder, cylinders adjacent said main valve, pistons therein for operating said main valve, means to create a pressure impulse on one or another of said pistons to shift the main valve and means automatically thereafter to equal ize the pressure on the opposite sides of said piston.

23. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means for transferring a carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal comprising a carrier push arm adapted to slide adjacent said table, a cylinder, a piston therein and connections from said piston to said push arm, a main valve for said cylinder, cylinders adjacent said main valve, pistons therein for operating said main valve, means to create a pressure impulse on one or another of said pistons to shift the main valve, and apertures in said pistons automatically thereafter to equalize the pressure on the opposite sides thereof.

2%. An apparatus of the class described comprising,in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former; and means for transferring successively carriers from said table towardsaid transmitting terminal comprising a push arm adapted to slide adjacent said table, a cylinder, a piston therein, connections from said piston to said push arm, a main valve for said cylinder, a spill valve, pneumatic connect-ions between said valves, said spill valve being operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table for initiatingthrough said pneumatic connections the movement of said piston tocause the push arm to travel in one direction, a second spill valve, pneumatic connections from the latter to said main valve, said secondspill valve being automatically operable from said piston toreverse the latter.

25. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination a r-eceivin terminal; a transmitting terminal; a tab e for receiving carriers from the former, and means to transfer the carrier from said table to said transmitting terminal including pneumatic connections, and a spill valve cooperating with the latter and operated on the arrivel of a carrier on said table for initiating the operation of the transfer means.

26. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; a table for receiving carriers from the former, and means to transfer carriers from said table to said transmitting terminal including pneumatic connections, a spill valve cooperating with the latter operable on the arrival of a carrier on said table to deliver the carrier from the table, and a spill valve cooperating with said pneumatic connections operable on the delivery of said carrier from said table to place the transfer means in readiness for delivering another carrier from the table.

27. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means for transferring carriers from one to the other including pneumatic connections, and counting means cooperating therewith for controlling the number of carriers to be despatched.

28. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal, a transmitting terminal; and means to transfer a predetermined number of carriers from one to the other including two cooperating elements adapted to be spaced apart a distance proportional to the number. of carriers to be transferred, means to cause one of said elements to approach the other each time a carrier is transferred, and means for preventing further carrier transfer operations after said elements meet.

29. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means to transfer a predetermined number of carriers from one to the other including a normally stationary element, a movable element and adapted to be set predetermined distances from said stationary element, means to advance said movable element a step toward the latter each time a carrier is transferred, and means for preventing further carrier transfer operations after said ele ments meet.

30. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means to transfer carriers from one to the other including fluid pressure means, a normally open valve cooperating therewith, and means automatically to close said valve and prevent transfer of carriers after a predetermined number of carriers have been transferred.

31. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means to transfer carriers from one to the other including fluid pressure connections, a valve therein, and step-by-step means having provisions for advancing the same incrementally to close said valve and prevent further carrier transfer operations after a predetermined number of carriers have been transferred.

32. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means to transfer a predetermined number of carriers from one to the other comprising a shut-off element, a toothed member adapted to be set a predetermined distance from the latter, means tending to draw said toothed member toward said shut-off element, and means to permit said toothed member to be advanced an increment by said draw means each time a carrier is transferred.

33. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means to transfer a predetermined number of carriers from one to the other comprising a shut-off element, a toothed element adapted to be set a predetermined distance from the latter, means tending to draw said toothed member toward said shut-off element, and lock means rendered efiective each time a carrier is despatched to permit said toothed member to advance an increment toward said shut-off element.

34. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means to transfer carriers from one to the other including pneumatic connections, a valve therein, and means given an incremental movement each time a carrier is delivered to said transmitting terminal and automatically eflective to close said valve and render said pneumatic connections ineffective to transmit another carrier after a predetermined number of carriers have been transmitted.

35. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means for transferring carriers successively from one to another including pneumatic connections, valve means interposed therein and incremental means automatically advanced a step each time a carrier is delivered to the transmitting terminal and rendered efiective after a predetermined number of carriers have been transmitted to cause said valve means to prevent another carrier from being transmitted.

36. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means for transferring a predetermined number of carriers from one to another comprising a valve, a ratchet bar adjacent thereto, means to adjust said bar a predetermined distance.

from said valve, means automatically to advance said bar a step toward said valve each time a carrier is delivered into the transmitting terminal, and means rendered effective to cause said bar to close said valve and prevent further transmitting operations after a predetermined number of carriers have been transmitted.

37. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means for transferring carriers from one to another comprising valve means, a ratchet bar, means tending to draw said bar toward said valve means, means to release said bar to permit it to advance a step toward said valve means each time a carrier is delivered to the transmitting terminal, said bar automatically operating said valve means to prevent further transmitting operations after a predetermined number of carriers have been transmitted.

38. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means for transferring carriers from one to another comprising valve means, a ratchet, a guide therefor, means tending to draw said ratchet toward said valve means, a dog for preventing this movement and means for disengaging said dog from said ratchet to permit the latter to advance a step each time a carrier is delivered to the transmitting terminal, said ratchet bar being adapted to operate said valve means automatically to prevent further carrier transmitting operations after a number of steps corresponding to a predetermined number of carriers.

39. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means for transferring a predetermined number of advance said ratchet toward said valve,

means and operate the latter on its arrival I thereat to prevent transmission of other carriers.

40. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means for transferring a predetermined number of carriers from one to the other comprising valve means, a ratchet, means tending to draw the latter toward said valve means, dogs for engaging the teeth of said ratchet, and pneumatic means for alternately movsaid valve means to render the latter effective to prevent further transmitting operations after the predetermined number of carriers have been transmitted.

41. An apparatus of the class described comprising, incombination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means automatically to transfer a predetermined number of carriers from one to another comprising valve means, a ratchet, means tending to draw said ratchet toward said valve means, a dog for engagement with the teeth of said ratchet, a cylinder, a piston therein for operating said dog and pneumatic piping means leading from the transmitting terminal to said cylinder for operating the piston therein each time a carrier is delivered to said terminal.

42. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a receiving terminal; a transmitting terminal; and means for transferring a predetermined number of carriers from one to another comprising valve means, a ratchet, means tending to draw the latter toward said valve means, a dog for engagement with teeth of said ratchet, a cylinder, a piston therein for controlling the movement of'said dog, a spring tending to move said piston in a direction to release said dog from said ratchet, and pneumatic piping connections from said transmitting terminal to said cylinder normally maintaining pressure on said piston, but releasing the pressure on said piston on the entrance 'of a carrier into the transmitting terminal, and permitting said spring to move said dog out of engagement with said ratchet to permit the latter to advance an increment toward said valve means.

43. An apparatus of the class described ing said dogs out of engagement with said a 

